Sometimes, though, insisting a symbol can mean one--and only one--thing is an attempt at ignoring or dismissing a reader's personal and cultural experiences. To someone who finds blue to be a calming color, the curtains could symbolize the character's desire for a semblance of peace and hope in a chaotic world. Someone who lives in hill country could interpret standing on one simply as a way to gain perspective. The meaning and the supporting evidence might be different from the symbol's more conventional interpretation, but it doesn't (or shouldn't) be no less valid for the reader.